Recording his progress on a blog dubbed ‘1Leg on 1Knee’, it involved learning to sing Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give you Up, 150 red roses, 50 tailor-made flags and 25 heart-shaped balloons - as well as a lot of help from friends and family.

When the big day arrived, and with a crowd of more than 100 gathered at St Ann’s Square, all was ready.

Tony popping the question in St Ann's Square

Having persuaded Tracey into town from their home in Clayton on the ruse that they were having a meal for her 40th birthday, Tony led his unsuspecting love into the crowd, before serenading her with Rick Astley’s Eighties classic ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.

Then, as it dawned on Tracey this was no regular 40th celebration, he dropped to one knee and popped the question. And with tears in her eyes, Tracey said yes.

Tony, who lost his leg aged eight after getting too close to overhead lines on the railway, said: “It all went to plan - apart from when I got up from one knee and my leg fell off. But that all adds to the adventure. I had been nervous about the weather on the day, I just wanted a dry 10 minutes and that was in the hands of the Gods.”

Tony and Tracey

Having met in 2002 at a local quiz night, Tony’s first Valentine’s Day card to Tracey included the words: “Never give you up, never gonna let you down’, as it was playing on the radio while he scribed his love note. Ever since, he’s written those words in every birthday, Christmas and Valentine’s card.

He added: “It seemed the right song to sing. She was in floods of tears. She was shaking so much I had to hold her up. She’s not stopped telling me how much she loves me since. And she can’t watch the video - she bursts into tears every time.”

Tony’s son Kevin, 31, and Tracey’s children Matthew, 21, and twins Jack and Chloe, 18, were among the crowd. As well as friends - in particular Tony’s best mate Johnny Wolowitz - they were all involved in planning the engagement, from figuring out her ring size to tracking down busker Elliot Moore, who played the violin.